CORK C of I and Cork Harlequins all but kissed goodbye to any lingering hopes they might mount a challenge for a men’s Irish Hockey League semi-final spot, after suffering heavy defeats at home to Dublin opposition on Saturday.

UCC’s women and Cork C of I’s men gave their Irish Hockey League semi-final hopes a shot in the arm with notable victories over Ulster opposition in round two of the competition this weekend.

THERE are dozens of intriguing sub-plots to be dissected as the Irish Hockey League’s (IHL) showpiece weekend gets underway tomorrow, but the question of who can stop the Pembroke Wanderers juggernaut is dominating the agenda.